St.Johnstone v Queen of the South
Co-operative Insurance Cup Round 3
Tuesday 21st September
It's back to the midweek cup games and getting picked up from work for me. It's been a tough day so I'm delighted when 5 o'clock comes and I can swipe out and meet my father outside work. It's a 7.45pm kick off but you'll all be aware 'Edinburgh can be a bugger for traffic at this time of night', I reckon we might be okay seeing as Perth is only 31 miles or so from here.
It's an easy drive up the road and right enough we turn into the car park at McDiarmid Park about quarter past six. They charge you £3 to park at the ground - 3 quid and you don't even get entered into the half time draw!!
We've got plenty of time to kill so it's a visit to the local supermarket for me and some tasty nourishment. Pay day was just the other day and as per usual anything with a money-off sticker quickly grabs my attention and it's no surprise then that I exit with more than just a ready made pasta dish. Anyone watched the latest Robin Hood movie?
After 'dinner' and the usual pictures we make our way into the ground. After previous experiences we've decided against sitting in the main stand. Fingers crossed for some singing and friendly banter. I like these cup games at SPL grounds as the price is a little less, £15 for me, £10 for him. Soon as were inside it's straight to the Pie Stand for two of their finest efforts. The finest effort is in fact a disaster. My dad actually considers asking how its possible to make a pie that is 'rock hard on top, yet completely greasy on the bottom and roasting like you would not believe throughout'.
St.Johnstone run out to The Skids tune 'The Saints are Coming'. Here's hoping that the game is as energetic as the song and with Queens up near the top of League 1 and the Saints near the bottom of the SPL these two sides should be evenly matched.
Two minutes in and a Grainger cross was headed narrowly wide by the Saints Davidson. St.Johnstone have a few ex-Chelsea player playing tonight, Michael Duberry - Doooobs as he's affectionately known by the home fans and Jody Morris are probably the ones you've heard of though. Dooobs is almost 35 years old, but he's completely in control in the centre of defense.
The next chance comes as a result of a jinky run and cut back by Williams and it takes a last ditch tackle by a Queens defender to stop the danger. This is appreciated by the surprisingly large away support. I've seen more away fans tonight than at any of the away games in the lower divisions this season, maybe with the exception of Falkirk fans in Dingwall. Those fans didn't have the old fashioned rattles with them like this lot tonight though, they make a cracking noise.
Unbelivabely we've sat in the only two rows in the ground that seem to be set aside for gossiping as the three folks behind us have obviously got a lot to talk about. I think we'll move at half time and try and concentrate on the football.
Most of the game was taking place in midfield and neither side carved out any real chances until the Queens keeper dropped a high ball at the feet of Liam Craig who smashed it high over the bar when it was easier to hit the target. Their big number 9, Perkin, was next not to make the most of his opportunity heading wide when he had time to take the ball down and shoot.
Up the other end, McLaren went on a great run leaving four defenders in his wake and Allan Johnston should have at least made the keeper work with his shot, instead it sailed well wide of the post. Colin Samuel, however, missed the best chance missing an open goal with a header from all of four yards.
The stadium announcer obviously wanted a pie or two at half time as he sticks on the full 9min 53 second version of Fools Gold by The Stone Roses and it finishes just as the teams run out for the second half. Not that I'm complaining as it's a cracking tune. Here's hoping it might have a ripple effect on both seats of supporters as we've yet to hear a song from either of them yet.
Shortly into the second half Saints are awarded a free kick right on the edge of the penalty box and after much deliberation it's Myrie-Williams that sends it high over the bar and as one punter behind us states 'it wasn't worth the wait'. The young winger was also unlucky five minutes later when the Queens keeper had to dive smartly to his right to beat away a good header.
We then witnessed an 'altercation' between two fans in front of us when after hearing a fellow supporter berate the Saints players a bloke shouted 'if you're no gonna support the team with positive comments, why don't you just shut up!'
Quarter of an hour into the second half and Saints were awarded a really soft penalty when a cross hit the arm of Reid and the ref pointed to the spot. Morris stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. This was the start of a crazy six minute spell as Queens fell apart. Substitute Haber, who in my humble opinion looked a good five yards offide, ran on to a through ball and one on one with the keeper made no mistake four minutes later. Two minutes after a fantastic ball from Duberry was flicked on by Parkin and Millar scored with ease.
Queens didn't deserve to be three down and must have thought their consolation goal was well deserved. Shame then that the linesman - who'd had a shocker all game - pulled it back for offside. There was to be no further excitement and it's St. Johnstone who progress to the next round. Here's hoping Aberdeen and Kilmarnock join them tomorrow.
The Statistics
Ticket: £15 (£10)
Programme: £1.50
Attendance:1,624
Pie:£1.70
Pie Marks: 6/10
Man of the Match: Dad - Michael Duberry Me - Michael Duberry (St.Johnstone)
Final Score: St.Johnstone 3 v Queen of the South 0
Mileage: 64 miles
Fact of the Day: McDiarmid Park was the first purpose built all seater stadium in Britain, built in 1989.
Next game: Station Park (Forfar)
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